If This is Wednesday, It Must Be Keswick

The weather has gone from chilly to very chilly with the temperature varying from around 50-60 degrees Fahrenheit, with strong wind at times and rain.   But we haven't let a little thing such as being cold deter us from our adventures.  Dan and I are bundling up with almost everything we have that is warm.   If latitude has anything to do with it, the area we are around is about 54 degrees north and Juneau, Alaska is 56.  

We left Cambridge for a four hour drive to Skipton in the northwest of England, on the west side of the Yorkshire Dales, almost in Scotland.   Our destination was  a very well preserved Norman castle which was originally built in 1090.  

Having been to Ireland before, I could have sworn I was there again with the rolling hills as green as the emerald isle, patchwork stone fences, old farms, cows, and sheep along the roads as we rode along in the rain.   Again, there was no place to stop for a picture, so I'll give you directions, if you're interested. 

Dan and I thought that Skipton was well worth the time it took to get there as it has survived basically unaltered since it was last modernized by Lady Anne almost 300 years ago.

    Everyone huddled under umbrellas

When first entering the grounds, we were overwhelmed by the size of the massive drum towers which were added on in 1310 by new owner, Robert Clifford, who had been given the property by Edward II. 

 

 

 

These drum towers, with a wall thickness of over twelve feet were built to fortify and protect from the invading Scots to the north.

Lady Anne Clifford, whose family was still in possession of the castle in the 1500s, planted this still thriving Yew tree in the courtyard to mark its restoration which began in 1559.

 

Arrow hole

Dan Deep Down in the Dark Dungeon

The well placed windows in the interior allowed great views of the courtyard

(or from the courtyard inside) 

the guard gate surrounding the castle,

   and of the town below.

We couldn't believe the size of the rooms, including the great hall and one of the fireplaces which was big enough to fit me.

Skipton castle has its own chapel as well.  Obviously, it's been a long time since it was used.

After our tour of the castle, we made our way through the sea of umbrellas in the town of Skipton to our three hour drive to our B & B at Keswick where it was colder yet.